Avanti Destinations just released its lineup of independent travel options for Europe in 2017 and 2018.
The company has added 75 new experiences, 2 new countries - Malta and Slovenia — 174 new hotels and 50 new customizable itineraries to its selection of European products.
Avanti’s 164-page, four-color brochure, Essence of Europe 2017-2018, is now available in print upon request and is downloadable at www.avantidestinations.com.
Two New Countries, New Regions and Cities
The addition of Malta and Slovenia brings the total number of European countries Avanti offers to 27. Malta and Slovenia are ideally combined with stays in other neighboring countries, such as Italy, Austria or Croatia, the company said.
New towns and regions for 2017 include Maremma on the Tuscan coast and the Franciacorta wine region in Italy, the medieval fishing village of Cefalu in Sicily, Hallstatt in Austria, Northumberland in northern England, Aarhus in Denmark, Weimar – birthplace of Bach, Goethe and Nietzsche -- in Germany, the Greek islands of Milos and Filogandros, and Tromso, land of the Northern Lights in Norway above the Arctic Circle.
Selection of New European Products
Agents can combine modular stays in multiple locations, customizing them with transfers and additional activities, to create a unique vacation for each client, Avanti said. A few of the many new European products:
Austria & Hungary: Classical Culture – 9 days/8 nights in Vienna, Salzburg and Budapest with city tours, concerts in Austria and a folklore show in Budapest, and 1st class rail between cities. Starting at $1549 per person, double occupancy.
Croatia-Slovenia-Italy: Scenic Adriatic Connection – 8 days/7 nights in Venice, Lake Bled and Istria with private tours, transfers and gondola ride, 3-course dinner in Venice, wine & cheese tasting Istria. From $1769.
England: Discover the North - London & Northumberland – 7 days/6 nights with 3 nights in London, 4-day private driving-guide in Northumberland, 1st class roundtrip rail London-Northumberland, an afternoon tea, a pub lunch, London tour products. From $ 4779.
France: Alsace Wine Discovery – 3 days/2 nights in Colmar, capital of the Alsatian wine route. Stay in a hotel dating from the 16th century building on the canal in picturesque Little Venice district. Tour of wine route includes 4 tasting sessions. From $585. Pair with stays in Paris, Strasbourg and/or Champagne region.
France & Spain: Gastronomic Wonders of France & Spain – 11 days/10 nights in Paris, Bordeaux, San Sebastián, Madrid. Includes 1st class rail between cities, Paris cooking class and market tour, private wine tour and tastings in Bordeaux/Saint-Émilion, private tapas tour San Sebastián, Madrid cooking class, taverns and markets tour and more. From $2995.
Ireland: Celtic Adventure – 7 days/6 nights split between Dublin, Belfast and roaming the countryside for 3 days in a rental car. Includes kayak tour in Dublin, Giant’s Causeway tour and more. From $1299.
Italy: Siena Palio Experience – 5 days/4 nights to see Siena’s most famous horserace and pageant. Includes tickets for dress rehearsal and dinner in one of the Contrada’s homes, tickets to view the parade and race from a balcony with a palio expert guide, food and drinks. Also a cooking class, traditional Tuscan dinner and walking tour with guide. From $2199.
Spain: Barcelona as a Local walking food tour – 3 hour add-on tour of the morning market, vermouth break, and full meal with wine. $75 per person. Or try the new Paella Cooking Class with lunch for $119 per person.
Switzerland: Swiss Food Discovery – 6 days/5 nights in Lucerne, Interlaken and Montreux with travel on the GoldenPass scenic rail line. Features dinner in a local home, fondue lunch and wine tasting on the Lavaux Express train and more. From $1499.